Tip of the week...

Label buzzwords deciphered

■ ‘Natural’ isn’t a term defin ed by the FDA, and it “doesn’t necessarily mean anything about the purity of a product.” If your aim is to avoid chemicals, simply read the ingredients list—and beware unfamiliar words.

■ ‘Organic’ can be used on a product provided it consists of at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients. Whatever’s not organic will be a USDA-approved substance, too.

■ ‘Vegan’ is not a federally regulated label, but it indicates an absence of animal products or byproducts—like beeswax. “Crueltyfree” usually equates to zero animal testing.